I keep coming back to that old comment of Arnold Schwarzeneggers’ “Everything I learned, I learned in the gym”. I’m starting to see how that works.
I did Bodypump on Sunday, for those of you who haven’t done it let me explain. You have a series of musical tracks lasting for 2 or 3 minutes each, you exercise one part of the body to each one. For example, you have a back track, a squat track, biceps track, etc. On Sunday I failed to complete the Biceps track, even though I knew I could do better, today I only missed 1 rep, which is my normal slowly improving performance.
What was the difference? On Sunday, my thoughts were running along the lines of “I can’t do this anymore, I have to stop”, I get that a lot as I find Biceps to be the hardest of all the muscle groups to work. On Sunday I listened to those thoughts, tonight I didn’t. It brings it home how much of what we do is in the mind, we often frustrate our own best efforts with a negative stance. It also brings out a good point I read in a Buddhist source recently, you and your thoughts aren’t the same thing. You are the part that observes your thoughts come and go, whether you listen or not is your choice to make.
Richard,
I totally agree with your post. Although I haven’t done any weight training lately, I was quite into it last year and I found much of what you have said to be very true. Sometimes my mind may have been screaming for me to stop, but I found that I started to develop an ability to ignore my mind in those situations. I also found that meditation practice helped bring this out during my weight training. I was wondering if you had found this as well.
Love and Respect,
Mike
Hi Mike,
I know exactly what you mean, and I hadn’t really thought about the effect meditation might have in this area.
I think you’re right, I certainly seem to be able to hold on longer and work through it better since I’ve been meditating. I’ve also noticed an increased body awareness of myself during the workout, with regards to posture and breathing, have you found this?
Rich.
Rich,
I think you’ve described it well. That’s exactly the kind of thing I’ve found in the past. I also appreciate your comment on my blog entry, by the way. I’m glad to have visitors, and I’m especially pleased that you enjoyed my woodcarving. I’m quite new to it, but I find it to be a relaxing and enjoyable hobby.
Love and Respect,
Mike